PATIENT’S JOURNEY
Patients are mainly referred by ophthalmologists or optometrists to our practice. It is advised to consult with the ocularist 4 – 6 weeks after surgery. On this appointment the ocularist will examine the socket and advise the patient on the procedure to be followed. The process of making and fitting custom artificial eyes and haptic shells are long and intensive. Patients should be prepared for a full day appointment.
The first step will be to take an impression of the socket and construct a model. The model will be adjusted in accordance with the shape and size of the normal eye. Further measurements are done on the model before it is moulded to manufacture the prosthesis. The color of the eye is handpainted while the patient sits with the ocularist. All the finer detail, like veins and scleral detail is then added to the prosthesis. After polishing and buffing it is fitted and minor adjustments will then be done if necessary.
It is very important to maintain the prosthesis and therefore the patient needs to see the ocularist at least once a year. On this appointment the ocularist will examine the socket and the fit of the prosthesis. After this a thorough polish will be done on the prosthesis to remove all the protein build-up etc. The prosthesis is then sterilized before fitting it again. It may in some cases also be necessary to do a build-up on the eye to enlarge it for similarity to the normal eye and a better fitting.
Evisceration (removal of eye) without any implant. Artificial eye was made and inserted into the socket.
Phthisical eye (blind eye) that has sunken into the socket. Haptic shell was made and placed over the sunken eye.
Phthisical eye (blind eye) that has sunken into the socket. Haptic shell was made and placed over the sunken eye. Patient is also suffering from ptosis of the upper lid (hanging of the lid). This patient will be referred for surgery to lift the upper lid.
Patient was diagnosed with retina blastoma at the age of 18 m0nths. Eye was removed and a silicon implant was done into the socket. The artificial eye was made and inserted over the implant.
Patient suffered from a painfull phthisical eye which was removed. An artificial eye was made and fitted into the socket.
Evisceration (removal of eye) without any implant. Artificial eye was made and inserted into the socket
Evisceration (removal of eye) without any implant. Artificial eye was made and inserted into the socket
Patient suffered from a painfull phthisical eye which was removed. An implant was done and an artificial eye was made and fitted into the socket.
Patient suffered from a painfull phthisical eye which was removed. An implant was done and an artificial eye was made and fitted into the socket
Patient suffered from a painfull phthisical eye which was removed. An implant was done and an artificial eye was made and fitted into the socket